Saturday, February 15, 2020

The social determinants of healthcare delivery service Essay

The social determinants of healthcare delivery service - Essay Example Social determinants of health can be regulated to improve the health conditions of countries. Through the adequate distribution of resources, the government can ensure that people have awareness about their health and have access to health care whenever they require it. Effective management and distribution of health care resources not only entails the treatment of a disease, but also its prevention. Preventing the occurrence of a disease can save a lot of resources not only financially, but also in terms of the staff, hospital resources and time that are spent on treating it. Obesity is becoming a serious health condition in the US and is starting to be referred to as an epidemic (Mechanic 112). Obesity is a global problem and more than 1.6 billion people all over the world are overweight. Of these figures, 300 million people are considered to be clinically obese, with a large proportion of overweight and obese people living in developed countries (Oxford Business Group 187). The obesity epidemic is at its very worst in the in the US (Plunkett). In the US, one person dies due to a health condition associated with obesity (Ayres). The US government spends $2 trillion annually on healthcare; about 76% of this sum is spent on the treatment and management of chronic diseases like diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases and strokes. All of these diseases are linked to obesity. In an article published by Why, an organization working for the elimination of hunger and poverty in the US, it was reported that two-thirds of the Americans are overweight, and one-third are obese (Ayres). The annual health care costs of obesity have doubled in the past ten years in the country. A recen t research conducted by the government documented that the costs of obesity are as much as $147 billion a year (Ayres). Moreover, it has been reported that the number of obese children have increased very rapidly and this has had profound impacts on their health. In fact, according

Sunday, February 2, 2020

Citizen Kane ,the mise-en-scene and cinematography Essay

Citizen Kane ,the mise-en-scene and cinematography - Essay Example It is an anomaly though, that, though the film was nominated for 9 Oscar categories, it only won in one. (Jackson & Merlock, 2006) The only plausible rationale for this discrepancy between its legendary status and lack of formal recognition by the Academy is that the film was way ahead of its time. The film pioneered and engendered so many facets of the filmmaking process that it took several years for members of the Academy to warm up to its accomplishments. This essay will focus on the cinematography of the film and highlight how it contributes to and enhances the overall cinematic excellence. The opening sequence of the film shows the funeral of the iconic American media baron Charles Foster Kane in his isolated residence in the monumental Xanadu. What follows is a10 minute obituary in the form of a newsreel that encompasses all the key moments in the life of the great man. Beginning with his childhood in the rural American wilderness, the newsreel traces how much wealth and power Kane was able to acquire during his peak. This newsreel sequence is one of the most original and brilliant in the history of cinema. The serious yet authoritative voice of the newsreel narrator ebb and flow in-tune with the events of Charles Kane’s life. The intonation, irony and subtle humour of this voiceover is executed to perfection. Matching this aural perfection is the visuals, which are some of the best montages ever assembled. The pace of the montage arrangement is brisk and the shots are short and crisp. The sequencing of these shots adheres to a musical rhythm, which is again in tune with the rhythmic oration in the voiceover. What is striking about this montage is its visual display of power – either political or economic. The shots of elephants and horses airlifted to the private zoo in Xanadu are forever etched in the mind. It is difficult to lose the symbolism of power in air-lifting one of the biggest mammals in the planet. Likewise, the bird’s e ye view of the sprawling Xanadu is a visual illustration of Kane’s wealth. When the voiceover narrates how politically influential Kane was, his image is embedded into a standard German propaganda shot of Hitler waving to a crowd. This is one of the earlier implementation of morphing and overlapping two discrete visuals into one shot. In the context of the film, not only was it humorous but also serves to illustrate the kind of political influence that Charles Kane wielded in his pomp. One of the most referenced scenes in the movie, illustrating Welles' and cinematographer Gregg Toland's use of deep-focus photography is the one about the childhood of young Charles Foster Kane. So much has been its impact that, â€Å"After Citizen Kane Deep focus photography became widespread, especially in the so-called film noir films of the following decade. Welles' audaciously effective idea of combining miniatures with full scale settings in sweeping camera moves harkens back to 1930's T he Bat Whispers, photographed by Ray June, ASC for Roland West. The Kane visuals also have much in common with those of Mad Love (1935). It is evident that Toland originated some of the ideas that Welles utilized so perfectly, and that Walker and Dunn also influenced Welles. The collaboration of unit art director Perry Ferguson was even stronger than is usual between director, cinematographer and designer. Ferguson worked closely throughout with Welles in